The Commander and the Media

<p>Within a democracy public opinion is often the strategic center of gravity during military operations. Our enemy knows this and fully exploits the information environment against us. In order to be effective commanders require the necessary skill sets and resources to execute an effective strategic communication strategy to counter this effort. Information operations and public affairs capabilities provide commanders the ability to shape the information environment and public opinion. However commanders are not educated trained or resourced to leverage this capability. The research method used for this paper was problem/solution and qualitative in nature. The purpose of this research was to explore solutions to mitigate risks for commanders when engaging the media and shaping public opinion through the information instrument of power. This research effort found technology and policy have impacted the military-media relationship and commanders must recognize how to successfully use technology and governmental policy in dominating the information domain. In addition commanders receive limited education training and resources on how to engage the media. A focused effort is needed to educate train and resource commanders for influence operations. Finally insufficient strategic guidance doctrine and planning within the joint and Air Force communities cause undue risk for commanders preparing operations in the information domain. Air Force public affairs doctrine requires a detailed review to improve planning guidance for commanders.</p><p>This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore you will see the original copyright references library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world) and other notations in the work.</p><p>This work is in the public domain in the United States of America and possibly other nations. Within the United States you may freely copy and distribute this work as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.</p><p>As a reproduction of a historical artifact this work may contain missing or blurred pages poor pictures errant marks etc. Scholars believe and we concur that this work is important enough to be preserved reproduced and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.</p><br>